The United Kingdom has recorded a total of 22,619 asylum applications from Nigerian nationals between 2010 and 2024, as revealed by new data from the UK Home Office.
Nigerians now account for one in every 30 asylum claims filed in the UK over that period, making Nigeria the 11th highest source of asylum seekers.
In a dramatic rise, 2,841 Nigerians sought asylum in 2024 alone—almost double the 1,462 claims recorded in 2023. This surge reflects worsening insecurity, economic hardships, and political uncertainty across Nigeria.
Overall, 2024 witnessed a record-breaking 108,138 asylum applications to the UK, a staggering 378% increase compared to 2010. Most of the applicants came from South Asian and Middle Eastern countries, with Iran topping the chart at 75,737, followed by Pakistan (57,621), and Afghanistan (54,363). Other countries high on the list include Albania, Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, and Bangladesh.
Nigeria ranks just ahead of Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and China, while nations like Brazil, Kuwait, and Yemen contributed fewer than 6,500 applications each.
Experts say Nigeria’s ranking is largely due to relentless insurgency, rampant kidnappings, and the economic blowback from the naira devaluation in 2023. Dr. Charles Onunaiju, Director of Research at the Centre for China Studies, told NIGPOST, “Nigeria has become increasingly unlivable for young people. With little hope for local opportunities, many are desperate to leave.”
Young professionals who previously tried to migrate through work visas are now opting for asylum routes, either by citing security threats or political persecution under Nigeria’s controversial cybercrime laws. Others claim persecution based on sexual orientation, which aligns with the protection grounds under the UN Refugee Convention.
British law requires asylum seekers to prove a “well-founded fear of persecution” due to race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or social group.
Although the UK’s 2023 Illegal Migration Act deems those arriving via safe third countries inadmissible, most asylum seekers are still processed under the regular system because the UK’s deportation deal with Rwanda remains tied up in legal challenges.
Dr. Aliyu Ilias, a development economist in Abuja, expressed concern over the mass departure of skilled Nigerians. “This is a severe brain drain,” he said. “Our government heavily subsidizes professional education.
These people don’t return; they gain permanent residency and boost other countries’ economies instead of ours.”
As Nigeria continues to battle economic instability and security challenges, the UK remains a top destination for many seeking a more stable future—even if it means taking the uncertain path of asylum.
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